Claire Splain Bens, Cfre
About Claire Splain Bens, Cfre
Claire Splain Bens is an Assistant Vice President at CCS Fundraising, where she focuses on enhancing the fundraising experience through honest conversations and goal setting. She holds a Master's Degree in Conflict Studies from The London School of Economics and has extensive experience in the non-profit sector, specializing in philanthropy and development training.
Current Role at CCS Fundraising
Claire Splain Bens serves as the Assistant Vice President at CCS Fundraising since 2020. In this role, she focuses on enhancing client partnerships through a personalized and organized approach. She emphasizes the importance of honest conversations and goal setting to improve the fundraising experience. Her leadership involves conducting development staff trainings and case development workshops, which aim to equip teams with the necessary skills for effective fundraising.
Previous Experience in Fundraising and Non-Profit Sector
Prior to her current position, Claire worked at CCS Fundraising as a Senior Director from 2017 to 2020. She also held roles at Teach For America, including Data Management Operations Coordinator and Institute Management Team Operations Coordinator. Additionally, she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Texas Connector at OneStar Foundation from 2015 to 2017. Her experience encompasses event planning and volunteer management within the non-profit sector.
Educational Background
Claire Splain Bens has a diverse educational background. She earned a Master’s Degree in Conflict Studies from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 2015. She also studied Political Science and Government at Universidad de Viña del Mar in 2012 and at the University of Hyderabad in 2013. Claire completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Government at Ohio University from 2010 to 2014.
Skills and Expertise
Claire possesses a range of skills relevant to her work in fundraising and non-profit management. She has expertise in developing strategies for 6-, 7-, and 8-figure gift requests. Additionally, she is skilled in qualitative research and database administration. Her strengths, as identified by the Gallup StrengthsFinder, include Learner, Achiever, Communication, Responsibility, and Focus, which contribute to her effectiveness in her professional roles.
Philosophy on Philanthropy
Claire holds a strong belief in the transformative power of philanthropy. She advocates for enhancing the fundraising experience through meaningful conversations and strategic goal setting. This philosophy guides her approach to client partnerships and her commitment to fostering a positive impact in the non-profit sector.